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Re: And the Largest Theropod Is....



ekaterina A wrote-

> Is it justified to reconstruct Deinocheirus based on
> the Ornithomimosaurs? Is it not really way too large
> compared to any of the other ornithomimosaurs. Given
> the goose like lifestyle predicted for the
> Ornithomimosaurs could that have been sufficient to
> sustain something as big as Deinocheirus? Are there
> any diagnostic features in the other elements, beyond
> the fore limbs, that support a linkage between to the
> o'mimosaurs?. Deinocheirus seems as enigmatic as
> before, a Bullockornis of its times?

Deinocheirus was only about twice as large as Gallimimus, so I don't think
it was too large to be compared to ornithomimosaurs.  There's the same size
variation between Deinonychus and Saurornitholestes, which seem to be close
to sister taxa.  The non-forelimb elements are either not diagnostic between
different theropods (hyoids, dorsal ribs, gastralia) or very poorly
described (vertebrae).  The vertebrae seem to be poorly preserved as well,
the only detail in the description being that one has a centrum 145 mm high
that is slightly concave.

Dann Pigdon wrote-

> The 'goose-like' lifestyle (ie. filter feeding) has been pretty well
> debunked. It's more likely the ridges inside the beak were to facilitate
> the attachment of the keratinous sheath, rather than filter-feeding
> structures.

I agree as to the debunking, but thought geese were primarily grazers.

Mickey Mortimer